Bob Mueller finally caught up with Bob Bolus. Last Friday, the special prosecutor investigating Russian meddling in American politics indicted 16 Russian nationals and groups on charges of conspiring to defraud the United States.
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An attorney for residents who contend Scranton collects millions of dollars more in tax revenues annually than allowed under a state cap cited the city’s budgets and audits in arguing Tuesday in Lackawanna County Court for a decision in their favor.
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SCRANTON — A federal jury began hearing testimony Tuesday in a lawsuit filed by a former Lackawanna County deputy sheriff who alleges fellow employees violated his constitutional rights after they traveled to his Wyoming County home to check on his welfare.
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The Friends of the Valley Community Library reached its fundraising goal for this year's cookie sale.

The group sold all 100 pounds of cookies through advance orders to raise the $800 it had hoped to, President Antoinette Mackar said.

"Our fundraiser was a complete success," she said. "We sold completely out."

The Friends now will turn its attention to its annual membership drive, which will begin this month. Membership in the group costs $5 and is open to anyone, even those outside the library's service area.

Ms. Mackar would like to add 200 to 225 more people to the roster, but the Friends also will try something new this year by allowing businesses to become members for $15.

cheaney@timesshamrock.com

Dalton

When letters were sent out to everyone in the community for the fire company's annual fund drive last month, company President John Holbert said he had no specific goal in mind.

"I'd like to raise as much as possible," he said.

The money raised is used to maintain the building, pay the utility bills and buy new equipment as needed, he said.

Many in the community do not realize the fire company is all volunteer, and the group spends almost as much time fundraising as it does fighting fires. In addition to the annual fund drive, the company holds an annual carnival, two horse shows and a pancake and sausage supper to raise money.

enissley@timesshamrock.com

Dunmore

Stop it before it starts.

With an expected rise in bullying after the Christmas season, Dunmore students will be teaching one another about the issue and how to develop skills to prevent it through an artistic approach.

Sixth-grade students will put on a scripted puppet show this month for children in kindergarten through third grade, showing the different types of bullying and who is often involved, elementary Principal Matthew Quinn said.

Studies show that bullying peaks in sixth grade and spikes after Christmas.

smcconnell@timesshamrock.com

Scranton

An annual Ukrainian New Year dinner-dance known as the Malanka is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 14, from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. at St. Vladimir Parish Center, 428 N. Seventh Ave.

"It is our seventh annual," said Paul Ewasko, an organizer. "It is very festive, and the food is spectacular."

European, Slavic and American food will be served. There will be a midnight toast, a cash bar and door prizes.

An orchestra will play authentic Ukrainian music.

Between 150 and 160 people usually attend. It costs $40.

Reservations for the event can be made by calling 383-9487.

jmrozinski@timesshamrock.com

South Abington Twp.

Construction of Baptist Bible College's Kempton Athletic Center is rolling along, though work will shift to the interior of the building until spring.

Work on the $4.5 million facility began in May. Scheduled to open in the fall, the center will feature an indoor track, a climbing wall, a bigger gym and an auditorium, which will be used for daily chapel services and graduation ceremonies.

During the cold months, work will continue inside the building as crews install electrical and heating systems and pipes for the fire protection system. In the spring, work on the exterior will resume.

"People are ... looking forward to when it opens," said Baptist Bible College spokesman Ken Knelly. "This spring, it will really hit home."

enissley@timesshamrock.com

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